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woman in mask on balcony looks at smoky landscape
How Wildfire Smoke Raises Infectious Disease Risk
As fires blanket growing swathes of the West, scientists are beginning to understand more about how their smoke affects the transmission and severity of COVID-19 and other illnesses, and how it differs from that of other types of air pollution.
How Wildfire Smoke Raises Infectious Disease Risk
How Wildfire Smoke Raises Infectious Disease Risk

As fires blanket growing swathes of the West, scientists are beginning to understand more about how their smoke affects the transmission and severity of COVID-19 and other illnesses, and how it differs from that of other types of air pollution.

As fires blanket growing swathes of the West, scientists are beginning to understand more about how their smoke affects the transmission and severity of COVID-19 and other illnesses, and how it differs from that of other types of air pollution.

wildfire

Wildfire Overtakes University of Cape Town Campus
Lisa Winter | Apr 19, 2021 | 2 min read
Priceless collections of books, manuscripts, and personal papers have been lost.
2020 end of year roundup science news wildfire pandemic coronavirus covid-19 salivary glands tubarial mitochondria in blood neanderthal dna in african genome first blood test for alzheimer's inclusivity black in x stem
The Biggest Science News of 2020
Kerry Grens | Dec 23, 2020 | 6 min read
Neanderthal DNA surprises in modern humans, the first blood test for Alzheimer’s, a discovery of new human salivary glands, and, oh yeah, a pandemic
end of the year, roundup, top images, immunology, cell & molecular biology, ecology & environment, genetics & genomics, art, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, coronavirus, pandemic
2020 in Pictures
Amanda Heidt | Dec 18, 2020 | 2 min read
This year yielded stunning images of transparent human organs, apex predators, and the world’s response to the ongoing pandemic.
K’gari-Fraser Island wildfire australia
World’s Largest Sand Island Devastated by Wildfire
Bianca Nogrady | Dec 9, 2020 | 2 min read
An illegal campfire sparked a blaze that has burned half of the unique Fraser Island off Australia’s East coast.
Argentina, wildfire, climate change, field research, fire, primates, primatology, ecology, environment
Argentinian Field Site Devastated by Fire
Amanda Heidt | Oct 15, 2020 | 4 min read
Roughly half of the howler monkeys in the research preserve have died or remain unaccounted for. Scientists had been studying them for more than 30 years. 
Updated
California Wildfire Beaten Back, for Now, on Famous Mt. Wilson
Ashley Yeager | Sep 16, 2020 | 2 min read
The mountain is home to two historic telescopes and many other scientific instruments, along with a billion dollars’ worth of broadcast transmission towers.
an old wooden barn near charred grassland
Field Research Sites Damaged as Fires Ravage West Coast
Shawna Williams | Sep 11, 2020 | 3 min read
Flames and smoke have killed dozens of people over the past month and burned hundreds of thousands of acres, causing massive disruptions.
California Wildfires Threaten UC Campus, Telescopes
Ashley Yeager | Aug 21, 2020 | 2 min read
Thousands of acres have burned across the northern part of the state, forcing the evacuation of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and posing a serious threat to Lick Observatory.
Forest Fungi Ride Out Wildfires by Hiding Inside Plants
Annie Greene | Apr 1, 2020 | 5 min read
Researchers uncover the “body-snatching” tactics of fungi that flourish immediately after wildfires.
an injured koala
Scientists Take Stock of Australian Wildlife Devastated by Fires
Bianca Nogrady | Jan 10, 2020 | 3 min read
The wildfires burning across Australia have caused significant damage to ecosystems and vulnerable species, yet some are faring worse than others.
Berkeley Labs Face Power Outage Amid Wildfire Threat
Emily Makowski | Oct 9, 2019 | 3 min read
The utility company PG&E has cut electricity to much of the Bay Area as a preventive measure.
Climate Change Impairs Trees’ Recovery from Wildfires
Kerry Grens | Mar 12, 2019 | 1 min read
Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are less able to regenerate in the face of climate change, and some areas have already “crossed a critical climate threshold.”
2018 in Quotes
Catherine Offord | Dec 24, 2018 | 5 min read
From the effects of political upheaval on research to claims of gene-edited babies, the year has been a tumultuous one for the scientific community.
Rapid DNA Analysis Steps In to Identify Remains of Wildfire Victims
Katarina Zimmer | Nov 30, 2018 | 4 min read
Investigators have the victims’ samples in hand, but face a range of obstacles before they can finally ID them.
Research Building Burns Down in Woolsey Fire
Kerry Grens | Nov 16, 2018 | 3 min read
The structure was the cornerstone of a UCLA conservation science center.
College Campuses Close as Wildfires Ravage California
Kerry Grens | Nov 14, 2018 | 3 min read
Universities are still assessing the extent of the damage; field sites are at risk and some equipment has been damaged.
Image of the Day: Coral Firebreak
The Scientist Staff | May 17, 2018 | 1 min read
Marine scientists slowed the spread of a disease that attacks coral by removing areas around diseased tissue.
Climate Change Threatens Climate Lab
Hayley Dunning | Jun 28, 2012 | 1 min read
Wildfires in Colorado, sparked by record temperatures, force the National Center for Atmospheric Research to close its doors for 2 days running.
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